Bahamas

Why visit: Peaceful days by the seaside give way to wild nights as the Bahamas gets ready to ring in the new year. Most hotels, including the Atlantis, the Grand Lucayan, and Stella Maris, offer their own parties, even as locals follow the Junkanoo Road parades that bring casual beach gatherings and fireworks across the islands. The Bahamian version of Mardi Gras, complete with music, masquerading street performers, and colorful costumes, these parades additionally take place on January 1; you may test out new year’s day Junkanoos in downtown Freeport on Grand Bahamas Island, along Bay Avenue in downtown Nassau, in Nicholls city on north Andros, in Plymouth on green turtle cay, and in Alice Town in north Bimini.

Where to stay: The Atlantis has the whole circle of relatives included with special New Year’s Eve events for kids, a masquerade ball for adults, and top viewing of the jetty village fireworks.